Easy opening packaging article

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an easy opening packaging article, such as an end-seal bag or the like, having a tear initiator and one or more grip assisters. According to various embodiments, the tear initiator and grip assisters are configured to assist a user in opening the packaging article. In particular, the grip assisters are configured to reduce the likelihood that a loose piece of plastic is generated during the opening process, and to reduce the likelihood that undesired tears in the packaging article are generated during the opening process.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Various embodiments of the present invention described herein generallyrelate to packaging articles, particularly heat-shrinkable, easy openingpackaging articles for packaging food products.

2. Description of Related Art

Flexible packaging articles made from plastic film are commonly used forthe packaging of a variety of products. In particular, food products(e.g., meat) are often vacuum packed in heat-shrinkable, plasticpackaging articles. In order to keep packed food products fresh andenhance shelf life, it is important for these packaging articles topossess moisture and oxygen barrier properties, as well as high impactstrength, high seal strength, and high puncture resistance. However,packaging articles having these properties are typically tough anddifficult to open.

To make tough packaging articles of this type easier to open, recent artsuggests providing one or more tear initiators near an edge of apackaging article for initiating a manual tear that can be propagated toopen the packaging article and allow a product to be readily removedtherefrom. In particular, U.S. Publication No. 2009/0116768 (herein “the'768 publication”) suggests providing grip-assist holes adjacent a tearinitiator to assist a user with gripping the packaging article,initiating a tear at the tear initiator, and propagating the tear toopen the packaging article. In some cases, these grip-assist holes maybe formed by cutting a hole in the packaging article and removing theresulting piece of plastic film to form each grip-assist hole. However,as recognized in the '768 publication, this process produces small,loose pieces of film that may lodge inside the packaging article duringmanufacturing of the packaging article. To prevent production of theseloose pieces of film, the '768 publication suggests cutting a partialhole in the packaging article's film that results in an opening andleaves a hanging chad connected to the packaging article. In thisconfiguration, the aforementioned loose pieces of film are less likelyto be produced during manufacturing of the packaging article.

However, when a user opens a packaging article having grip-assisters ofthis type, the user typically inserts an index finger through agrip-assist hole, pinches the index finger with a thumb, and pulls awayfrom the tear initiator. During this opening process, the user mayinadvertently pinch the grip-assister's hanging chad between the indexfinger and thumb and tear the hanging chad off of the packaging articleduring opening. Hanging chads inadvertently removed from the packagingarticle in this way may easily fall into the packaging article as theuser is opening the article.

For sellers of products that must not be contaminated with loose plasticpieces, such as meats and other food products, it is important thatloose pieces of plastic are not produced during manufacturing of thepackaging article or during end use of the packaging particle (e.g., auser opening the article). Accordingly, there is a need in the art for aflexible, easy opening packaging article that can be manufactured andused without the risk of loose pieces of plastic becoming lodged withinthe packaging article.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a flexiblepackaging article. According to various embodiments, the flexiblepackaging article comprises a plastic film formed into an enclosure forreceiving a product and defining at least one openable portion, at leastone seal closing the openable portion of the enclosure, at least onearticle skirt comprising a portion of plastic film extending outwardlyfrom the seal and opposite the enclosure, at least one tear initiatordefined on the skirt, the at least one tear initiator being configuredfor initiating one or more manually-propagated tears capable of beingpropagated through the seal to open at least the openable portion of theenclosure, and one or more grip assisters defined on the skirt andconfigured for assisting grip of the plastic film during manual tearing.The one or more grip assisters comprise at least one cut in the skirtdefining: an opening, a first hanging chad on a first side of the cut,and a second hanging chad on a second side of the cut. The first hangingchad comprises at least a pair of projected portions and a recessedportion in between the pair of projected portions, and the secondhanging chad comprises at least one projected portion aligned with thefirst hanging chad's recessed portion.

Various other embodiments of the present invention are directed to aflexible packaging article comprising a plastic film formed into anenclosure for receiving a product and defining at least one openableportion, at least one seal closing the openable portion of theenclosure, at least one article skirt comprising plastic film extendingoutwardly from the seal and opposite the enclosure, at least one tearinitiator defined on the skirt, the at least one tear initiator beingconfigured for initiating one or more manually-propagated tears capableof being propagated through the seal to open at least the openableportion of the enclosure, and one or more grip assisters defined on theskirt and configured for assisting grip of the plastic film duringmanual tearing, the one or more grip assisters comprising at least onecurvilinear cut in the skirt defining an opening in the skirt and atleast one hanging chad. The curvilinear cut includes first and secondends spaced apart from one another and the hanging chad comprises a baseedge defined between the first and second ends of the curvilinear cut,and the lateral distance between the first and second ends of thecurvilinear cut defining the hanging chad's base width. The hanging chadextends outwardly from its base edge in a direction away from the atleast one tear initiator, and the distance between the hanging chad'sbase edge and its outermost edge defining the hanging chad's length. Thehanging chad further comprises a first outer lobe having a substantiallyconvex rounded edge and a second outer lobe having a substantiallyconvex rounded edge. The first and second outer lobes are defined onlateral sides of the hanging chad and extending laterally past the firstand second ends of the curvilinear cut, the lateral distance between thewidest points of the first and second outer lobes defining the hangingchad's full width. The ratio of the hanging chad's base width to itsfull width is between 0.881:1 and 0.75:1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of an end-seal bag according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a rear elevation view of the end-seal bag of FIG. 1according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the end-seal bag of FIG. 1 according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show top plan views of a grip assister according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a front perspective view of the grip assister of FIGS. 4Aand 4B according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a partially opened end-seal bag with aproduct disposed therein according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A shows a side-seal bag according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7B shows a U-seal bag according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7C shows an L-seal bag according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7D shows a back-seamed bag with a fin seal according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7E shows a back-seamed bag with a lap seal according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A shows a top plan view of a grip assister according to oneembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8B shows a top plan view of another grip assister according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present inventions will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not allembodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legalrequirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed toan easy opening packaging article, such as an end-seal bag or the like,having a tear initiator and one or more grip assisters. According tovarious embodiments, the tear initiator and grip assisters areconfigured to assist a user in opening the packaging article. Inparticular, the grip assisters are configured to reduce the likelihoodthat a loose piece of plastic is generated during the opening process,and to reduce the likelihood that undesired tears in the packagingarticle are generated during the opening process.

End-Seal Bag Having Grip Assisters

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a lay-flat end-seal bag 10 formed from seamlessplastic film tubing according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end-seal bag's seamlessplastic film forms a first lay-flat side 12, a second lay-flat side 14,a first folded side edge 16, a second folded side edge 18, a bottom edge20, and a top edge 30. The bottom end of the end-seal bag 10 is unsealedand forms an bag opening 22 dimensioned for receiving a product to bepackaged within the end-seal bag 10 (e.g., a large cut of meat). The topend of the end-seal bag 10 includes an end seal 31, which extends acrossthe width of the of the end-seal bag 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the end seal 31 is a heat seal sealingthe bag's first lay-flat side 12 to the bag's second lay-flat side 14.The end seal 31 can be generated by various methods, such as impulsesealing, melt-bead sealing, thermal sealing, ultrasonic sealing, hot airsealing, hot wire sealing, infrared radiation sealing, ultravioletradiation sealing, electron beam sealing, or other methods known in theart. Although the end seal 31 extends along an arcuate path across thewidth of the bag 10 in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the end seal 31 mayextend straight across the bag 10 or along a path having a differentprofile according to various other embodiments. Typically, the end seal31 is made as part of the manufacturing process at a bag-making factory,rather than at the site where the bag 10 is used to package a product.As such, the end seal 31 may commonly be referred to as a “factoryseal.”

The interior volume of the end-seal bag 10 between the bag's end seal 31and bottom edge 20 comprises an enclosure 19 for receiving a product tobe packaged within the end-seal bag 10. As described in greater detailbelow, once a product is placed within the bag's enclosure 19 (e.g., viathe bag opening 22), a packers seal may be applied proximate the bag'sbottom edge 20 and the bag 10 may be shrunk around the product to sealthe product within the bag 10.

The end-seal bag 10 also includes a skirt 32, which generally comprisesthe portion of the bag's plastic film outward of the end seal 31 (e.g.,the excess film on the non-product side of the end seal 31, between theend seal 31 and top edge 30). As shown in FIG. 1, the skirt 32 extendsacross the full width of the end-seal bag 10 and is contiguous with theend seal 31. However, in various other embodiments, the skirt 32 maycomprise one or more portions of plastic film extending outwardly fromthe end seal 31, each portion extending along less than the full widthof the end seal 31. The various features described herein as beingdefined on the skirt 32 may be defined on such skirt portions. Inaddition, the general shape and profile of the skirt 32 may be alteredby changing the profile of the bag's end seal 31 and/or top edge 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the bag's first lay-flatside 12 and second lay-flat side 14 defining the skirt 32 are sealedtogether with a pair of perimeter seals 34 positioned proximate thebag's top edge 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter seals 34are heat seals and may be generated using any of the methods referencedabove in relation to the end seal 31. As shown in FIG. 1, the perimeterseals 34 are generally configured to keep the skirt portions of thebag's first lay-flat side 12 and second lay-flat side 14 laidsubstantially flat against one another.

The skirt 32 also defines a tear initiator 50 and a pair of gripassisters 100. As described in greater detail herein, the tear initiator50 and grip assisters 100 are, together, configured to enable a user tomanually initiate and manually propagate a tear along the end-seal bag10 in order to open the bag 10 and remove a product contained therein.FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of the end-seal bag 10. As shown in FIG. 3,the tear initiator 50 comprises a plurality of longitudinally alignedslits 52 cut through the skirt 32. According to other embodiments, thetear initiator 50 may comprise a single slit cut through the skirt 32.As used herein, the term “cut” refers to penetration through the plasticfilm or shearing through the film (e.g., with a shearing or cuttinginstrument). Unless specified otherwise, a “cut” in a portion of theend-seal bag 10 refers to a cut through both lay-flat sides 12, 14 ofthe bag 10. Accordingly, the slits 52 comprising the tear initiator 50are defined in both the first lay-flat side 12 of the skirt 32 and thesecond lay-flat side 14 of the skirt 32.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the tear initiator 50 isoriented generally perpendicular to the nearest point on the end seal 31and in a generally longitudinal direction with respect to the end-sealbag 10. In particular, the end-seal bag 10 is configured such that atear initiated via the tear initiator 50 will tend to propagate in alongitudinal direction with respect to the end-seal bag 10. However,according to various embodiments, the tear initiator 50 may be orientedin other directions and the end-seal bag 10 may be configured such thata tear initiated via the tear initiator 50 will tend to propagate inother desired directions.

With respect to the bag's plastic film, the tear initiator 50 in FIG. 3is oriented in a machine direction. As used herein, the phrase “machinedirection” generally refers to the direction in which the plastic filmemerged from its manufacturing die, which corresponds with the directionthe plastic extrudate is forwarded during the film production process.However, as used herein, the phrase “machine direction” includes notonly the direction along the plastic film that corresponds with thedirection the film traveled as it passed over idler rollers in the filmproduction process, it also includes directions that deviate up to 44degrees from the direction the film traveled as it passed over idlerrollers in the production process. In addition, as used herein, thephrase “transverse direction” refers to a direction perpendicular to themachine direction. The transverse direction also includes directionsthat deviate up to 44 degrees from the direction the film traveled as itpassed over idler rollers in the production process. As described ingreater detail below, various embodiments of the tear initiator 50 maybe oriented in the machine direction or the transverse direction withrespect to a bag's plastic film depending on the bag's dimensions andthe bag's type (e.g., end-seal, side-seal, pouch). Furthermore,preferred films to be used to make the packaging article of theinvention include films in accordance with U.S. Ser. No. 12/313,396, toHuerta et al, entitled “Easy Opening Packaging Article Made fromHeat-Shrinkable Film Exhibiting Directional Tear” and now published asUS 2009/0116768, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated byreference thereto. Preferred methods of making such films are alsodisclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 12/313,396.

Referring back to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the gripassisters 100 are defined on either side of the tear initiator 50 andare positioned just below the perimeter seals 34. According to variousembodiments, each grip assister 100 is defined by a curvilinear cut inthe skirt 32. FIGS. 4A and 4B provide a more detailed illustration ofone of the grip assisters 100 according to one embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4A, the curvilinear cut 102 has a first end 104 and a second end106. The cut 102 forms a curvilinear path between its ends 104, 106 thatresults in the formation of a first hanging chad 200 and a secondhanging chad 300. As used herein, the term “hanging chad” refers to aportion of material (e.g., plastic film) that is not completelyseparated from its respective article (e.g., the end-seal bag 10).Indeed, in the illustrated embodiment, no fully separated pieces of filmare produced by the cut 102 and the hanging chads 200, 300 remainattached to the end-seal bag 10. In reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B, theterms “width,” “length,” “outward,” “inward,” and other like terms areused to describe the chads 200, 300 in relation to the grip assister 100itself and are not intended to indicate the orientation of the gripassister 100 with respect to other features of the end-seal bag 10.Indeed, a description of the grip assister's orientation and positioningwith respect to features of the end-seal bag 10 is provided herein inrelation to FIGS. 1, 3, and 5.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first hanging chad 200 extendsoutwardly from a first base edge 202, which is defined between the ends104, 106 of the curvilinear cut 102. As described in more detail herein,the first hanging chad's base edge 202 connects the first hanging chadto the skirt 32 from which it “hangs.” The first hanging chad 200generally includes a pair of projected portions comprising a first outerlobe 204 and a second outer lobe 206. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, thefirst outer lobe 204 includes a substantially convex rounded edge 208and extends laterally to a widest point 212 and outwardly to anoutermost point 216. Likewise, the second outer lobe 206 includes asubstantially convex rounded edge 210 and extends laterally to a widestpoint 214 and outwardly to an outermost point 218. In addition, thefirst hanging chad 200 includes a recessed portion 220 positionedbetween the outer lobes 204, 206 and defined by a substantially concaverounded edge 222. As shown in FIG. 4B, the rounded edge 222 has aninnermost point 219 (e.g., the point along the rounded edge 222 nearestto the first hanging chad's base edge 202). Each of the rounded edges208, 210, 222 is defined by a curved portion of the curvilinear cut 102.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second hanging chad 300 extendsoutwardly from a second base edge 302 in a direction opposite that ofthe first hanging chad 200. As shown in FIG. 4A, the second base edge302 is defined between the outermost points 216, 218 of the firsthanging chad 200. As described in more detail herein, the second hangingchad's base edge 302 connects the second hanging chad 300 to the skirt32 from which it “hangs.” The second hanging chad 300 generally includesa projected portion comprising a medial lobe 304. As shown in FIG. 4A,the second hanging chad's medial lobe 304 includes a substantiallyconvex rounded edge 308 that corresponds to the concave rounded edge 222of the first hanging chad 200. In other words, the second hanging chad'sconvex rounded edge 308 is defined opposite the first hanging chad'sconcave rounded edge 222 along the same portion of the curvilinear cut102. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4B, the medial lobe's outermost point319 corresponds to the innermost point 219 of the first hanging chad'srounded edge 222.

FIG. 4B also illustrates various dimensions of the grip assister 100. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the first hanging chad 200 has a base widthW1 generally defined by the lateral distance between the ends 104, 106of the curvilinear cut 102. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 4A and 4B,the base width W1 of the first hanging chad 200 corresponds to thelength of the first hanging chad's base edge 202. According to variousembodiments, the first hanging chad's base width W1 can be between 0.69inches and 0.88 inches. For example, in one embodiment, the firsthanging chad's base width W1 is 0.83 inches. In addition, the firsthanging chad 200 has a full width W2 generally defined by the lateraldistance between the widest points 212, 214 of the first hanging chad'souter lobes 204, 206. According to various embodiments, the firsthanging chad's full width W2 can be between 0.75 inches and 1.0 inches.For example, in one embodiment, first hanging chad's full width W2 is1.0 inches.

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the rounded edges 208, 210 of the outerlobes curve inwardly such that the ends 104, 106 of the curvilinear cut102 are positioned inward from the outer lobe's widest points 212, 214.In particular, the first outer lobe's rounded edge 208 has a radius ofcurvature R1 and the second outer lobe's rounded edge 210 has a radiusof curvature R2. According to various embodiments, the radii R1 and R2can be between 0.14 inches and 0.2 inches. In certain embodiments, theradii R1 and R2 are the same. For example, in one embodiment, the radiiR1 and R2 are each 0.19 inches.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the inward curvature of the rounded edges 208, 210results in the cut's first end 104 being positioned a lateral distanceD1 inward from the widest point 212 of the first outer lobe 204, whilethe cut's second end 106 is positioned a lateral distance D2 inward fromthe widest point 214 of the second outer lobe 206. According to variousembodiments, the distances D1 and D2 can be between 0.06 inches and 0.15inches. In certain embodiments, the distances D1 and D2 are the same.For example, in one embodiment, the distances D1 and D2 are each 0.09inches.

As described in greater detail below, it is generally desirable for thefirst hanging chad's base width W1 to be nearly as wide as the firsthanging chad's outer width W2, as increasing the chad's base width W1can improve chad's resistance to being torn off of the skirt 32 by auser. However, it is also desirable for the distances D1, D2 to not betoo small, as positioning the ends 104, 106 of the cut 102 away from thechad's widest edges 212, 214 can improve the grip assister's resistanceto generating an undesired tear in the skirt 32 when it is used to openthe bag 10. Accordingly, the ratio of the first hanging chad's basewidth W1 to its full width W2 can be between 0.881:1 and 0.75:1.

In addition, the first outer lobe 204 has a length L1 defined by thedistance between the first outer lobe's outermost point 216 and the baseedge 202. Likewise, the second outer lobe 206 has a length L2 defined bythe distance between the second outer lobe's outermost point 218 and thebase edge 202. According to various embodiments, the greater of thesetwo lengths L1, L2 defines the “length” of the first hanging chad 200.According to various embodiments, the lengths L1 and L2 can be between0.3 inches and 0.38 inches. In certain embodiments, the lengths L1 andL2 are the same. For example, in one embodiment, the first outer lobe'slength L1 and the second outer lobe's length L2 are 0.34 inches. In suchan embodiment, the “length” of the first hanging chad 200 would be 0.34inches as L1 and L2 are the same.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the second hanging chad 300 has a width W3generally defined by the lateral distance between the outermost points216, 218 of the first hanging chad's lobes 204, 206. As will beappreciated from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second hanging chad's width W3corresponds to the length of the second hanging chad's base edge 302.According to various embodiments, the second hanging chad's width W3 canbe between 0.12 inches to 0.75 inches. For example, in one embodiment,the second hanging chad's width W3 is 0.62 inches.

Furthermore, the second hanging chad 300 has a length L3 defined by thedistance between the medial lobe's outermost point 319 and the base edge302. According to various embodiments, the second hanging chad's lengthL3 can be between 0.12 inches and 0.20 inches. For example, in oneembodiment, the second hanging chad's length L3 is 0.19 inches.

In addition, the rounded edge 308 of the medial lobe 304 has a radius ofcurvature R3. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 4A and 4B, the roundededge 222 of the first hanging chad's recessed portion 220 will have thesame radius of curvature R3 as it is defined by the same portion of thecurvilinear cut 102. According to various embodiments, the radius R3 canbe between 0.12 inches and 0.20 inches. For example, in one embodiment,the radius R3 is 0.19 inches. In certain embodiments of the gripassister 100, the second hanging chad's radius of curvature R3 may beequivalent to its length L3 and equivalent to the radii R1 and R2.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A and 4B, the curvilinear cut102 defining the grip assister 100 comprises a single, continuous cutthrough the skirt 32. However, in other embodiments, the cut 102 maycomprise a series of perforations aligned in the shape of the cut 102shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. In addition, in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 1-5, the cut 102 extends through both lay-flat sides 12, 14 of theskirt 32. As such, each grip assister 100 will be understood to comprisea first grip assister defined on the first lay-flat side 12 of the skirt32, and a second grip assister defined on the second lay-flat side 14 ofthe skirt 32. According to various embodiments, these first and secondgrip assisters are aligned and, effectively, function together as asingle grip assister 100.

As will be appreciated from FIG. 3, the grip assisters 100 are orientedon the skirt 32 such that each grip assister's first hanging chad 200extends away from the tear initiator 50 in a direction generallyperpendicular to the tear initiator 50, while each grip assister'ssecond hanging chad 300 extends toward the tear initiator 50 in adirection generally perpendicular to the tear initiator 50. Likewise,the base edge 202 of each grip assister 100 is generally parallel to thetear initiator 50. As described in greater detail below, thisorientation ensures that when a user pulls the grip assisters 100 awayfrom the tear initiator 50, the force of the user's finger is appliedagainst the base edge 302 and towards the second hanging chad 300.

Opening the End-Seal Bag Using the Tear Initiator & Grip Assisters

According to various embodiments, the tear initiator 50 and gripassisters 100 are configured to enable a user to manually initiate andmanually propagate a tear along the end-seal bag 10 in order to open thebag 10 and remove a product contained therein. As described above, eachof the grip assisters 100 includes a curvilinear cut 102 in the skirt32. FIG. 5 shows one of the grip assisters 100 with its hanging chads200, 300 pushed upward and extending away from the surface of the skirt32. As shown in FIG. 5, the curvilinear cut 102 defines an opening 110in the skirt 32, which exists between the first hanging chad 200 andsecond hanging chad 300.

Each grip assister 100 is configured such that its opening 110 is largeenough for an adult finger to fit through. When an adult finger isinserted through the opening 110, the hanging chads 200, 300 aregenerally moved to the position shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, thefirst hanging chad 200 bends upward about its base edge 202, while thesecond hanging chad 300 bends upward about its base edge 302. Asdiscussed earlier herein, in the illustrated embodiment, each gripassister 100 comprises a first grip assister defined on the firstlay-flat side 12 of the skirt 32, and a second grip assister defined onthe second lay-flat side 14 of the skirt 32. As shown in FIG. 5, boththe first lay-flat side 12 and second lay-flat side 14 of the gripassister's chads 200, 300 are substantially aligned. As will beappreciated from FIG. 5, the curvilinear shape of the grip assister'scut 102 results in a larger opening 110 than a straight, linear cutwould provide. This makes it easier for a user to insert a fingerthrough the grip assister 100.

FIG. 6 shows the end-seal bag 10 with a product 120 (e.g., a cut ofmeat) sealed therein. In particular, the product 120 has been disposedwithin the bag's enclosure 19 (e.g., via the opening 22 at the bag'sbottom edge 20 shown in FIG. 1). In addition, a packer's seal 122 (e.g.,a heat seal) has been applied proximate the bag's bottom edge 20 tofully seal the product 120 within the bag 10. Furthermore, the bag 10has been heat-shrunk around the product 120. To open the end-seal bag 10shown in FIG. 6, a user may insert at least one finger through each ofthe grip assisters 100 and pull the grip assisters 100 away from oneanother (e.g., by pulling each grip assister 100 in a direction awayfrom the tear initiator 50 and in a direction generally perpendicular tothe tear initiator 50). This action applies a force to the tearinitiator's longitudinally aligned slits 52 that initiates a tear in thedirection of the longitudinally aligned slits 52. To propagate the tearalong the end-seal bag 10, a user can continue pulling the gripassisters 100 away from one another. This causes the tear to propagatethrough the bag's end seal 31 and continue along the bag 10.

As shown in FIG. 6, a tear 130 has been initiated and propagated along aportion of the bag 10. Referring back to FIG. 3, the tear initiator'sslits 52 are generally aligned in the bag's longitudinal direction inthe illustrated embodiment. As such, in FIG. 6, the tear 130 haspropagated longitudinally along the length the bag 10. In theillustrated embodiment, this longitudinal direction is also the machinedirection of the bag's plastic film. In addition, as the tear initiator50 and grip assisters 100 are defined on both lay-flat sides 12, 14 ofthe bag 10, the tear 130 has initiated and propagated along bothlay-flat sides 12, 14. Once the bag 10 is sufficiently opened or tornentirely in half, the user can easily remove the product 120 from thebag 10.

During the aforementioned opening process, each of the user's fingerswill apply a force to the skirt 32 proximate the base edge 302 of arespective grip assister 100 (shown in FIG. 5). In particular, theuser's finger will pull the base edge 302 in a direction away from thefirst hanging chad 200. Referring back to FIG. 5, the force generated bythis action can result in stress concentration points 61, 62 generatednear the widest points of the curvilinear cut 102 on the skirt 32 (e.g.,the points along the edge of the cut 102 on the skirt 32 correspondingto the widest points 212, 214 of the first and second outer lobes 204,206). In order for the grip assisters 100 to be most effective, it isimportant to prevent the skirt 32 from tearing in response to thesestress concentrations as the bag is opened, as this can result in astress gradient. If the stress gradient is such that the stress at theends 104, 106 of the cut 102 is greater than the tear propagation limitof the material, then the skirt 32 will tear.

To prevent such tearing, as described above in relation to FIGS. 4A and4B, the ends 104, 106 of the curvilinear cut 102 are positioneddistances D1, D2 inward from the lobes' widest points 212, 214. As aresult, the stress concentrations resulting from the force applied by auser's finger when opening the bag 10 are concentrated away from theends of the cuts and, instead, on the cut's rounded edges (e.g., theedges of the cut corresponding to the rounded edges 208, 210 of thefirst hanging chad 200). In certain embodiments, these stressconcentration points remain in this position at least until the tearpropagated via the tear initiator extends through the seal. Byconfiguring the shape of the grip assister 100 in this way, the gripassister's resistance to tearing on the skirt 32 is improved and thegrip assisters 100 are prevented from being torn out of the end-seal bag10.

In addition, during the aforementioned opening process, a user willtypically insert an index finger through the grip assister's opening 110and pinch the index finger with a thumb in order to grip the gripassister 100. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6, the secondhanging chad's recessed portion 220 reduces the likelihood that thesecond hanging chad 200 will be inadvertently pinched between a user'sfingers by reducing the length of the chad 200 in the area where that ismost likely to occur. By reducing the likelihood that the chad 200 willbe pinched between the user's fingers, the likelihood that the secondhanging chad 200 will be inadvertently torn off is also reduced.

Furthermore, even where the second hanging chad 200 is inadvertentlypinched and pulled away from its base edge 202, the chad 200 isdimensioned to resist being torn off of the skirt 32. For example, thesecond hanging chad's base width W1 is relatively wide and provides agreater contact area between the chad 200 and skirt 32 than a chadhaving a narrower base width. By increasing the contact area between thesecond hanging chad 200 and the skirt 32, the chad 200 is made moreresistant to being torn off of the skirt 32 when it is inadvertentlypulled. As a result, the end-seal bag 10 having the grip assisters 100can be opened without generating loose plastic pieces that may fall intothe bag 10 and contaminate the product 120.

According to various embodiments, the grip assisters 100 are alsocapable of being used with a machine configured for opening packagingarticles. For example, certain machines may include components (e.g.,rods) that are inserted through the grip assisters 100 and pulled awayfrom one another in order to automatically open the end-seal bag 10.Accordingly, it will be understood that the tear initiator 50 and gripassisters 100 can be used by an automated machine to initiate andpropagate a tear in the end-seal bag 10.

Further Embodiments

As will be appreciated from the description herein, the end-seal bag 10shown and described in FIGS. 1-6 represents only one embodiment of thepresent invention. For example, the tear initiator 50 and grip assisters100 described in relation to the end-seal bag 10 may be provided onvarious types of bags and in various orientations. For example, FIG. 7Aillustrates the tear initiator 50 and grip assisters 100 provided on aside-seal bag 710. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7A, the tearinitiator 50 and grip assisters 100 are positioned on a skirt defined onthe sides of the bag 710 and are configured to initiate a tear in themachine direction of the bag's plastic film.

As further examples, FIG. 7B illustrates a U-seal bag 720 and FIG. 7Cillustrates an L-seal bag 730. In both bags 720, 730, the tear initiator50 and grip assisters 100 may be defined on a skirt located on the sideof the bags 720, 730 or on an end of the bags 720, 730. In addition, inboth bags 720, 730, the tear initiator 50 and grip assisters 100 may beconfigured to initiate a tear in either the machine direction or thetransverse direction of the plastic film. As yet another example, FIG.7D illustrates a back-seamed bag 740 having a fin seal. In theillustrated embodiment, the tear initiator 50 and grip assisters 100 canbe provided on a skirt proximate the bag's fin seal or bottom seal. Asyet another example, FIG. 7E illustrates a back-seamed bag 750 having alap seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the tear initiator 50 and gripassisters 100 can be provided on the skirt proximate the bag's lap sealor bottom seal. In particular, a tear generated from a tear initiator 50positioned on a skirt extending outwardly from the back-seamed bag's 740fin seal, or the back-seamed bag's 750 flap seal, could propagate fromthe skirt, through the fin seal/lap seal, and thereafter propagate astwo tears in opposite directions around the bag 740 or 750. In addition,as will be appreciated from the description herein, a tear initiator 50and pair of grip assisters 100 may be provided at more than one locationon one or more skirts of a particular bag to enable a user to tear thebag open in more than direction.

Furthermore, as will be appreciated from the description herein, thegrip assister 100 shown and described in FIGS. 1-6 represents only oneembodiment of a grip assister suitable for use with the end-seal bag 10.For example, in certain embodiments, a grip assister may define a singlehanging chad not having a recessed portion. FIG. 8A shows a gripassister 500 according to one such embodiment. In the illustratedembodiment, the grip assister 500 is defined by a curvilinear cut 502forming a single hanging chad 501. The curvilinear cut has ends 504, 506forming a base edge 507 therebetween. The hanging chad 501 includes apair of outer lobes 510, 512 and a substantially linear medial edge 520joining the outer lobes 510, 512. In addition, the outer lobes 510, 512each include a convex rounded edge 514, 516. As will be appreciated fromFIG. 8A, the ends 504, 506 of the curvilinear cut 502 are positionedinward of the widest points of the outer lobes 510, 512.

In various embodiments, the hanging chad 501 can have the same basewidth, full width, and length dimensions described above in relation tothe first hanging chad 200. As such, the grip assister 500 retains manyof the advantageous properties of the grip assister 100. For example, asthe ends 504,506 of the curvilinear cut 502 defining the hanging chad501 are positioned inward of the chad's widest edges, the curvilinearcut 502 will be resistant to generating a tear in the skirt 32.Likewise, as the chad 501 has a wide base edge 507 and relatively shortlength, the chad 501 will be less likely to be inadvertently pinched bya user and, even if it is, will be resistant to tearing off of the skirt32.

FIG. 8B shows a grip assister 600 according to another embodiment. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the grip assister 600 is defined by acurvilinear cut 602 forming a single hanging chad 601. The curvilinearcut has ends 604, 606 forming a base edge 607 therebetween. The hangingchad 601 includes a pair of outer lobes 610, 612 and a convex, roundedmedial edge 620 joining the outer lobes 610, 612. In addition, the outerlobes 610, 612 each include a convex rounded edge 614, 616. As will beappreciated from FIG. 8B, the dimensions of the hanging chad 601 aresubstantially similar to those of the hanging chad 501, with theexception of the chad 601's curved medial edge 620. As such, the gripassister 600 would also retain many of the advantageous properties ofthe grip assister 100 for the reasons discussed in relation to the gripassister 500.

The dimensions of the various grip assisters described herein (e.g., thegrip assisters 100, 500, 600) represent certain embodiments of thepresent invention. As will be appreciated from the description herein,the grip assisters provided in other dimensions and configured toperform as described herein are within the scope of the presentinvention.

CONCLUSION

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forthherein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theseinventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specificembodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

That which is claimed:
 1. A flexible packaging article comprising: aplastic film formed into an enclosure for receiving a product anddefining at least one openable portion; at least one seal closing theopenable portion of the enclosure; at least one article skirt comprisinga portion of plastic film extending outwardly from the seal and oppositethe enclosure; at least one tear initiator defined on the skirt, the atleast one tear initiator being configured for initiating one or moremanually-propagated tears capable of being propagated through the sealto open at least the openable portion of the enclosure; and one or moregrip assisters defined on the skirt and configured for assisting grip ofthe plastic film during manual tearing, the one or more grip assisterscomprising at least one cut in the skirt defining: an opening, a firsthanging chad on a first side of the cut, and a second hanging chad on asecond side of the cut, wherein the first hanging chad comprises atleast a pair of projected portions and a recessed portion in between thepair of projected portions, and wherein the second hanging chadcomprises at least one projected portion aligned with the first hangingchad's recessed portion.
 2. The flexible packaging article of claim 1,wherein each of the one or more grip assisters is defined by a singlecut in the skirt.
 3. The flexible packaging article of claim 1, whereinthe first hanging chad's pair of projected portions comprise a firstouter lobe having a substantially convex rounded edge and a second outerlobe having a substantially convex rounded edge.
 4. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 3, wherein the first hanging chad's recessedportion includes a substantially concave rounded edge; and wherein thesecond hanging chad's projected portion comprises a medial lobe having asubstantially convex rounded edge.
 5. The flexible packaging article ofclaim 4, wherein the first outer lobe, second outer lobe, and mediallobe are sized such that they cannot be easily grasped by a user.
 6. Theflexible packaging article of claim 5, wherein the radius of curvatureof the first outer lobe's substantially convex rounded edge, the radiusof curvature of the second outer lobe's substantially convex outer edge,and the radius of curvature of the medial lobe's substantially convexouter edge are between 0.12 inches and 0.20 inches.
 7. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 1, wherein the ratio of the first hangingchad's base width to its full width is between 0.881:1 and 0.75:1. 8.The flexible packaging article of claim 1, wherein the length of thefirst hanging chad is between 0.3 and 0.38 inches
 9. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 1, wherein the opening defined by the atleast one cut is sufficiently large to enable an adult human finger toextend through the opening.
 10. The flexible packaging article of claim1, wherein the at least one tear initiator comprises one or morelongitudinally aligned slits, the one or more slits being configured forgenerating the manually-initiated, manually-propagated tear in a machinedirection along the packaging article.
 11. The flexible packagingarticle of claim 1, wherein the at least one tear initiator comprisesone or more longitudinally aligned slits, the one or more slits beingconfigured for generating the manually-initiated, manually-propagatedtear in a transverse direction along the packaging article.
 12. Theflexible packaging article of claim 1, wherein the first hanging chad'spair of projected portions extend away from the at least one tearinitiator and in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the tearinitiator; and wherein the second hanging chad's projected portionextends toward the tear initiator and in a direction that is generallyperpendicular to the tear initiator.
 13. The flexible packaging articleof claim 1, wherein the one or more grip assisters comprise a first gripassister and a second grip assister, the first grip assister beingspaced from the tear initiator and positioned on a first side of thetear initiator, and the second grip assister being spaced from the tearinitiator and positioned on a second side of the tear initiator.
 14. Theflexible packaging article of claim 13, wherein the first grip assister,second grip assister, and at least one tear initiator are configuredsuch that, when a user inserts at least one finger into the first andsecond grip assisters and pulls both the first and second grip assistersin a transverse direction away from the at least one tear initiator, thetear initiator generates a tear that manually propagates from the tearinitiator, through the seal, and along at least a portion of theenclosure in a machine direction.
 15. The flexible packaging article ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one cut defining the first grip assisterand the at least one cut defining the second grip assister areconfigured such that stress concentration points generated by a userpulling both the first and second grip assisters in a transversedirection away from the at least one tear initiator are located awayfrom the ends of the cut defining the first grip assister and away fromthe ends of the cut defining the second grip assister.
 16. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 1, wherein the packaging article has a firstside and a second side, the first side of the article being sealed tothe second side of the article at the at least one seal; wherein the atleast one tear initiator comprises a first-side tear initiator definedon the first side of the article and a second-side tear initiatordefined on the second side of the article, the first-side andsecond-side tear initiators being aligned with one another; and whereineach of the one or more grip assisters comprises a pair of gripassisters aligned with one another, each grip assister pair comprising afirst-side grip assister defined on the first side of the article and asecond-side grip assister defined on the second side of the article. 17.The flexible packaging article of claim 1, wherein the at least one sealcomprises a heat seal.
 18. The flexible packaging article of claim 1,wherein the plastic film is a heat-shrinkable multilayer film.
 19. Theflexible packaging article of claim 1, wherein the packaging article isa lay-flat, end-seal bag and the plastic film comprises seamless plasticfilm tubing.
 20. The flexible packaging article of claim 1, wherein thepackaging article is a lay-flat, side-seal bag and the plastic filmcomprises seamless plastic film tubing.
 21. A flexible packaging articlecomprising: a plastic film formed into an enclosure for receiving aproduct and defining at least one openable portion; at least one sealclosing the openable portion of the enclosure; at least one articleskirt comprising plastic film extending outwardly from the seal andopposite the enclosure; at least one tear initiator defined on theskirt, the at least one tear initiator being configured for initiatingone or more manually-propagated tears capable of being propagatedthrough the seal to open at least the openable portion of the enclosure;and one or more grip assisters defined on the skirt and configured forassisting grip of the plastic film during manual tearing, the one ormore grip assisters comprising at least one curvilinear cut in the skirtdefining an opening in the skirt and at least one hanging chad, wherein:the curvilinear cut includes first and second ends spaced apart from oneanother and wherein the hanging chad comprises a base edge definedbetween the first and second ends of the curvilinear cut, the lateraldistance between the first and second ends of the curvilinear cutdefining the hanging chad's base width; the hanging chad extendsoutwardly from its base edge in a direction away from the at least onetear initiator, the distance between the hanging chad's base edge andits outermost edge defining the hanging chad's length; the hanging chadfurther comprises a first outer lobe having a substantially convexrounded edge and a second outer lobe having a substantially convexrounded edge, the first and second outer lobes being defined on lateralsides of the hanging chad and extending laterally past the first andsecond ends of the curvilinear cut, the lateral distance between thewidest points of the first and second outer lobes defining the hangingchad's full width; and the ratio of the hanging chad's base width to itsfull width is between 0.881:1 and 0.75:1.
 22. The flexible packagingarticle of claim 21, wherein the hanging chad's base width is between0.69 inches and 0.88 inches and the hanging chad's full width is between0.75 inches and 1.0 inches.
 23. The flexible packaging article of claim21, wherein the hanging chad's length is between 0.3 inches and 0.38inches.
 24. The flexible packaging article of claim 21, wherein theenclosure has a closed bottom, a closed first side edge, a closed secondside edge, and an open top, and wherein the at least one seal comprisesa plastic-film-to-plastic-film seal defining at least a portion of atleast one member selected from the group consisting of: the closedbottom, the closed first side edge, and the closed second side edge. 25.The flexible packaging article of claim 21, wherein the packagingarticle has a first side and a second side, the first side of thearticle being sealed to the second side of the article at the at leastone seal; wherein the at least one tear initiator comprises a first-sidetear initiator defined on the first side of the article and asecond-side tear initiator defined on the second side of the article,the first-side and second-side tear initiators being aligned with oneanother; and wherein each of the one or more grip assisters comprises apair of grip assisters aligned with one another, each grip assister paircomprising a first-side grip assister defined on the first side of thearticle and a second-side grip assister defined on the second side ofthe article.
 26. The flexible packaging article of claim 21, wherein theat least one tear initiator comprises one or more longitudinally alignedslits, the one or more slits being configured for generating themanually-initiated, manually-propagated tear in a machine directionalong the packaging article.
 27. The flexible packaging article of claim21, wherein the at least one tear initiator comprises one or morelongitudinally aligned slits, the one or more slits being configured forgenerating the manually-initiated, manually-propagated tear in atransverse direction along the packaging article.
 28. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 21, wherein the at least one seal comprises aheat seal.
 29. The flexible packaging article of claim 21, wherein theplastic film is a heat-shrinkable multilayer film.
 30. The flexiblepackaging article of claim 21, wherein the packaging article is alay-flat, end-seal bag and the plastic film comprises seamless plasticfilm tubing.
 31. The flexible packaging article of claim 21, wherein thepackaging article is a lay-flat, side-seal bag and the plastic filmcomprises seamless plastic film tubing.